On Saturday the 18th of February, Irish native Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, 69, was fatally shot at his home in Hacienda Heights, east of downtown Los Angeles.
Less than five days later L.A police have charged a man named Carlos Medina, who is the husband of Bishop O’Connell’s housekeeper.
Medina who had done work at the bishop’s home, was arrested a few days after the killing of Bishop O’Connell on Monday by a swat team.
George Gascon, the LA County District Attorney, said that Medina is charged with one count of murder. Gascon continued - “Charging Mr Medina will never repair the tremendous harm that was caused by this callous act, but it does take us one step closer to accountability”.
If convicted, Medina faces 35 years to life in prison. Lieutenant Michael Modica, who is leading the homicide investigation, said that reports of O’Connell owing money to Medina are incorrect. No motive for the killing has been clearly established. Lieutenant Modica said Medina told detectives of several reasons for the violence, “and none of them made any sense to investigators”
Bishop O Connell was a priest for 45 years and was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop in 2015. He was originally from Cork and returned regularly to visit his friends and family. His passing will be mourned on both sides of the Atlantic by communities who knew him. He was at times a controversial figure among some Catholics but no doubt they too will be praying for him and his family. May he rest in peace and may the guilty party come to repentance and find pardon in the mercy of God.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
and let Your perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
rest in peace. Amen.
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